Archives of Zoobomb Coverage

Mini Bike Winter (MBW) — the Zoobomb-created event that mixes gravity, competition, mini-bikes, and fun — is less than one month away. This will be the fifth year in a row the event has offered salvation from our winter bike-fun doldrums

Even though it’s been over a year since Zoobombers first met with PDOT about it, the process to integrate the iconic mound of mini-bikes known as the Zoobomb Pyle into a piece of official public art is now moving along quickly.

One of the event organizers, Austin Ramsland, says that over 1,800 people attended the show. They were treated to an unprecedented display of building prowess from well over 20 Oregon-based builders. It was a show of talent and enthusiasm for bikes that many of us knew existed, but to see and feel it all in one room was simply breathtaking.

The “Zoobomb Pyle,” that colorful jumble of janky kids bikes chained to the bike rack across from Rocco’s Pizza at SW 10th and Oak, has
finally been recognized as “art.”

Thanks to pressure from Commissioner Sam Adams‘ office, the Regional Arts and Culture Council (RACC) has given the project a budget of $10,000 (that’s less than 20% of the budget for “Pod,” the enormous metal shuttlecock-on-a-tripod that usually ends up in the background of tourists’ pictures of the beloved Pyle).

The RACC — in concert with PDOT and Zoobomb — plans to build a purpose-built structure at W Burnside and SW Stark to which the bicycles can be locked without the threat of citations or removal by the city.

Coming up in November is the first-ever Oregon Handmade Bicycle Show. Among the 25 vendors are some of Oregon’s most talented bicycle craftsmen.

Several well-known custom bike makers from Portland will be exhibiting. But in addition to the usual suspects, and in a nod to Portland’s distinct brand of bike building, the show will also feature builders known for a different kind of custom bike; minis and freak bikes.

Yes, alongside $3,000, meticulously crafted frames made to exacting tolerances will be bike creations culled from local dumpsters, then welded and bolted together by the DIY genius of Zoobombers and members of the Dropout Bike Club.

As you can see in the graphic at right, they’ve got a breakfast sandwich called the Zoobomb, named after that fun-loving group of MAX-riding mini-bikers. They also serve up a The Messenger and the Paperboy Special.